New Zealand achieves America’s Cup three-peat as Britain's title quest goes on

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — New Zealand’s reign as the master of high-speed yachting remains intact. Britain’s long, long wait goes on.

Emirates Team New Zealand clinched match point in the 37th America’s Cup on Saturday, beating INEOS Britannia 7-2 in the best-of-13 final off Barcelona’s beachfront.

The team led by Grant Dalton won its third consecutive cup, adding to wins in 2017 in Bermuda and 2021 in Auckland.

New Zealand’s eight-man crew embraced and cheered on the deck of the 75-foot Taihoro after holding Britannia off to win Race 9.

“It is just sinking in. What an amazing day, this team has been amazing, what an amazing feeling,” New Zealand skipper Peter Burling said after his third America’s Cup and his finals-record 22nd race win.

Britannia, meanwhile, fell one step short of winning the Auld Mug for Britain for the first time in the competition’s 173-year history.

“We’ve got to give credit to Team New Zealand," Britannia skipper Ben Ainslie said. "What an amazing performance to win three in a row. In my book that makes them the best team in the history of the cup.”

Burling and the New Zealand team posed behind a winner’s banner as a fleet of fan boats gathered around and sounded horns in celebration. The team ran a New Zealand flag up its mast along with a huge white flag saying “Thank you very much Barcelona” in Catalan.

Many of the team’s fans back home had been disappointed when Dalton took the cup from Auckland to Spain in search of better financing. But thousands of fans wearing team shirts cheered the boat as it pulled into the team base, where it received a traditional Maori welcome.

After needing a repair following a crane mishap that damaged its hull at the start of the two-month competition, Taihoro raced aggressively in the final, winning the first four races. After Britannia capitalized on its mistakes to pull back two wins, Burling’s bunch shifted back into ruthless mode to finish them off with three more wins in a row.

“We had the pressure on us today,” said Dalton, the New Zealand team's chief executive. “These guys on the boat had to deliver, but they have to have the tools to do it, so a great job by everyone.”

The first final in 60 years for a British yacht ended in more frustration and with work to do after Ainslie, the most successful sailor in Olympic history, saw his boat far too often in Taihoro’s wake.

Britannia had the backing of billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, who also is part owner of Manchester United, and the engineering know-how of the Mercedes Formula 1 team.

But it was Team New Zealand, and its elite in-house design team that wowed the world with its foiling AC75 monohulls, which proved that it still is the best in the game. The yachts broke speed records for the America’s Cup with velocities of up to 55.6 knots (64 mph/102kph) in the fickle Mediterranean winds.

“We were not overly daunted being up against Mercedes Benz,” New Zealand technical director Dan Bernasconi said. “We are pretty happy to be in our own little silo and get on with it.”

The America’s Cup was born some four decades before the modern Olympic Games. Queen Victoria was in attendance when the schooner America bested the Royal Yacht Squadron in the first regatta in 1851.

The Americans held the cup until its incredible 132-year run ended in 1983 at the hands of the Australians. The Swiss have won it twice, and the Kiwis five times overall, after first winning it in 1995 and again in 2000.

As the defending champion, New Zealand picked Barcelona as the venue, set the rules and raced with the challengers — gathering data and insight on Britannia and the four other rivals — while holding a guaranteed spot in the America’s Cup final.

The Brits put up a fight on Saturday, pulling level midway through, only for Taihoro, which in Maori means “to move swiftly as the sea between both sky and earth,” blocked their passing attempt and then sped off to win by a comfortable 37 seconds.

“We had our moments in the finals," Ainslie said, “but at the end of the day the better team won.”

Dalton can start planning on how to host, and win, the 38th America’s Cup.

The defender can keep it here in Barcelona, where boats glide through the Mediterranean with the beachfront and La Sagrada Familia basilica in the background, and super yachts and their wealthy owners come in from around Europe and further abroad.

Or, as Dalton said, it could go back to Auckland, if, and only if, there existed the financing that was lacking when he decided to bring it to Spain. Saudi Arabia, however, was also in the mix after it hosted a preliminary regatta last year.

The decision should be made public in the coming months.

Ainslie, at age 47, said he was undecided whether to stay in the Britannia for the next America's Cup, or dedicate himself to his other role as the team chief executive.

“I don’t know if next time I am going to be on the water or not,” he said, "but I am committed to moving the team forward, getting the job done and winning the cup."

AP sports writer Bernie Wilson in San Diego contributed.

AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports

Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Peter Burling lifts the trophy after winning the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Emirates Team New Zealand crew celebrates after winning the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Emirates Team New Zealand crew celebrates as they won the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain, on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Maoris perform a traditional Haka dance after Emirates Team New Zealand c won the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain, on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Maoris perform a traditional Haka dance after Emirates Team New Zealand c won the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain, on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Emirates Team New Zealand crew celebrates as they won the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain, on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Emirates Team New Zealand crew celebrates after winning the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Nathan Outteridge, an Emirates Team New Zealand crew member, reacts as their team wins the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Emirates Team New Zealand crew celebrates as they won the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain, on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Emirates Team New Zealand crew celebrates after winning the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Emirates Team New Zealand crew celebrates after winning the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Emirates Team New Zealand crew celebrates as they won the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain, on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Emirates Team New Zealand crew celebrates after winning the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Emma Outteridge, right, wife of Nathan Outteridge, a crew member of the Emirates Team New Zealand, reacts as their team won the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Emirates Team New Zealand, right, and Ineos Brittania race during the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Day 6 race 9 in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Emirates Team New Zealand fans celebrate as their team won the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Emirates Team New Zealand crew celebrates after winning the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Emirates Team New Zealand crew celebrates after winning the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Emirates Team New Zealand races during the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Day 6 race 9 in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Emirates Team New Zealand and Ineos Brittania race during the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Day 6 race 9 in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Emirates Team New Zealand, right, and Ineos Brittania race during the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Day 6 race 9 in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Emirates Team New Zealand races during the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Day 6 race 9 in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Emirates Team New Zealand races during the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Day 6 race 9 in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Ineos Britannia warms up for the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Day 6 race 9 in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton talks to a crew member crew ahead of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Day 6 race 9 in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Maori rowers escort Emirates Team New Zealand boat in a traditional waka, or a canoe, ahead of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Day 6 race 9 in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Maori rowers escort Emirates Team New Zealand boat in a traditional waka, or a canoe, ahead of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Day 6 race 9 in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Emirates Team New Zealand crew waits for the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Day 6 race 9 in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Peter Burling waits for the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Day 6 race 9 in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton talks to a crew member crew ahead of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Day 6 race 9 in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

ST. LOUIS (AP) — World champions Ilia Malinin and the ice dance duo of Madison Chock and Evan Bates will anchor one of the strongest U.S. Figure Skating teams in history when they head to Italy for the Milan Cortina Olympics in less than a month.

Malinin, fresh off his fourth straight national title, will be the prohibitive favorite to follow in the footsteps of Nathan Chen by delivering another men's gold medal for the American squad when he steps on the ice at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.

Chock and Bates, who won their record-setting seventh U.S. title Saturday night, also will be among the Olympic favorites, as will world champion Alysa Liu and women's teammate Amber Glenn, fresh off her third consecutive national title.

U.S. Figure Skating announced its full squad of 16 athletes for the Winter Games during a made-for-TV celebration Sunday.

"I'm just so excited for the Olympic spirit, the Olympic environment," Malinin said. “Hopefully go for that Olympic gold.”

Malinin will be joined on the men's side by Andrew Torgashev, the all-or-nothing 24-year-old from Coral Springs, Florida, and Maxim Naumov, the 24-year-old from Simsbury, Connecticut, who fulfilled the hopes of his late parents by making the Olympic team.

Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova were returning from a talent camp in Kansas when their American Airlines flight collided with a military helicopter and crashed into the icy Potomac River in January 2025. One of the last conversations they had with their son was about what it would take for him to follow in their footsteps by becoming an Olympian.

“We absolutely did it,” Naumov said. “Every day, year after year, we talked about the Olympics. It means so much in our family. It's what I've been thinking about since I was 5 years old, before I even know what to think. I can't put this into words.”

Chock and Bates helped the Americans win team gold at the Beijing Games four years ago, but they finished fourth — one spot out of the medals — in the ice dance competition. They have hardly finished anywhere but first in the years since, winning three consecutive world championships and the gold medal at three straight Grand Prix Finals.

U.S. silver medalists Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik also made the dance team, as did the Canadian-born Christina Carreira, who became eligible for the Olympics in November when her American citizenship came through, and Anthony Ponomarenko.

Liu was picked for her second Olympic team after briefly retiring following the Beijing Games. She had been burned out by years of practice and competing, but stepping away seemed to rejuvenate the 20-year-old from Clovis, California, and she returned to win the first world title by an American since Kimmie Meissner stood atop the podium two decades ago.

Now, the avant-garde Liu will be trying to help the U.S. win its first women's medal since Sasha Cohen in Turin in 2006, and perhaps the first gold medal since Sarah Hughes triumphed four years earlier at the Salt Lake City Games.

Her biggest competition, besides a powerful Japanese contingent, could come from her own teammates: Glenn, a first-time Olympian, has been nearly unbeatable the past two years, while 18-year-old Isabeau Levito is a former world silver medalist.

"This was my goal and my dream and it just feels so special that it came true,” said Levito, whose mother is originally from Milan.

The two pairs spots went to Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea, the U.S. silver medalists, and the team of Emily Chan and Spencer Howe.

The top American pairs team, two-time reigning U.S. champions Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, were hoping that the Finnish-born Efimova would get her citizenship approved in time to compete in Italy. But despite efforts by the Skating Club of Boston, where they train, and the help of their U.S. senators, she did not receive her passport by the selection deadline.

“The importance and magnitude of selecting an Olympic team is one of the most important milestones in an athlete's life,” U.S. Figure Skating CEO Matt Farrell said, "and it has such an impact, and while there are sometimes rules, there is also a human element to this that we really have to take into account as we make decisions and what's best going forward from a selection process.

“Sometimes these aren't easy," Farrell said, “and this is not the fun part.”

The fun is just beginning, though, for the 16 athletes picked for the powerful American team.

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Amber Glenn competes during the women's free skating competition at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Alysa Liu skates during the "Making Team USA" performance at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Maxim Naumov skates during the "Making Team USA" performance at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Madison Chock and Evan Bates skate during the "Making the Team" performance at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Gold medalist Ilia Malinin arrives for the metal ceremony after the men's free skate competition at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)